I was one of the speakers during Bernie Sanders’ Cedar Rapids rally [Back in Iowa, Sanders stumps for former aide, Feb. 24]. I spoke out because as the local business owner of Popcorn Heaven in Waterloo, I believe small businesses succeed when we invest in the public good. However, this tax bill is a scam that prioritizes wealthy donors and corporations over Main Street businesses and our customers.

To cut trillions in taxes for unimaginably wealthy corporations like Apple and Walmart, Republicans are defunding health care for children, seniors and the disabled. They’re slashing food assistance on people struggling to feed their families. Our schools, already short on pencils and paper, will be deprived even further.

When our tax dollars aren’t being put to work correctly, it becomes harder to start and sustain small businesses like mine. The cost of living eventually creeps up, and we’ll all have to tighten our belts. For some, that means making a tragic choice like paying for medicine. For others, it means fewer frills — frills like gourmet popcorn.

One poll recently suggested that small business optimism is on the rise, buoyed by the tax bill. I’m optimistic for a different reason; that come November, we’ll hold Republicans accountable for this travesty of a tax bill.